Diagnosis is an integral part of patient care, especially since it helps detect diseases and abnormalities early. Without proper diagnosis, appropriate treatments can’t be done. Also, the prognosis or outcome of the illness depends on accurate diagnosis.
Diagnosing a disease is part of preventive care in Lehi since tests can tell you if something is wrong in your body. When there is proper diagnosis, complications and worsening of the condition is prevented. Here are the most commonly used diagnostic tests in hospitals today.
Analysis Of Body Fluids
What are body fluids? Body fluids are liquids in the human body that can be used for tests. The commonly analyzed fluids include urine, blood, synovial fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid. In rare cases, other fluids in the body, such as gastric juices, sweat, and saliva are used.
Blood tests are very important and common because these can hint about various diseases. For example, a complete blood count (CBC) shows low levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells; it can suggest anemia. Another blood test, the fasting blood sugar (FBS) test, helps detect high levels of sugar in the blood, hinting diabetes mellitus.
Radiography
Radiography or an X-ray is another commonly used diagnostic test. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation to generate images of tissues, bones, and other structures in the body.
X-rays can detect diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis in the lungs, and bone fractures, too. Other conditions detected using an X-ray include abnormal masses, certain tumors, some forms of injuries, dental problems, foreign objects, and calcifications, to name a few.
CT Scan
Computed tomography scan (CT scan) is a procedure used in various hospitals today. CT scans are used to evaluate the cause of certain infections, stones, pain, fractures, and blockages. In some cases, doctors recommend this imaging test to determine the location of masses or tumors. One common issue regarding a CT scan is the amount of radiation exposure the patient is exposed to. Some people opt for an MRI instead of a CT scan because of this issue.
MRI Scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed photos of the internal parts of the body. MRI has many uses, including detecting disease in the body. For instance, it’s used to evaluate head trauma that causes bleeding in the brain. It can also detect tumors in many parts of the body.
In some cases, doctors use MRI to detect heart abnormalities, aneurysms, abdominal problems, bone fractures, tissue problems, and joint structures.
Biopsy
A biopsy is an important test to find abnormal cells that may give evidence of a disease like cancer, or an inflammation. A biopsy is usually recommended to determine the presence of cancer cells, and it’s also useful in the staging process. Tissues that are typically tested include the lungs, liver, bones, kidneys, skin, and breast.
Diagnostics are important in the medical world. Without a diagnosis, it is very hard to detect and determine the illness of a person. But with an accurate diagnosis, proper treatment is given. Properly diagnosing a condition will mean more time to give the treatment needed.